Call Duvall’s Towing for moving your shipping containers.

Fast, Reliable, 24/7 Response

At Duvall’s Towing Service, we do our best to make the towing process as simple and painless as possible. If you need your shipping container moved for any reason in the Palm Beach County, Florida area, be sure to stay safe and call Duvall’s Towing.

Call Duvall’s Towing, Fast, Reliable, 24/7 Response

At Duvall’s Towing Service, we do our best to make the towing process as simple and painless as possible. If you need your car towed for any reason in the Palm Beach County, Florida area, be sure to stay safe and call Duvall’s Towing.

You get the call, “I got into a car accident. Everyone’s fine and a tow truck is on the way. Can you come pick me up?” Instant panic and fear rises up from your stomach.

Naturally, you try to get to your loved one as fast as possible, without getting into a car accident yourself. You want to be there for them and make sure everyone involved is actually OK. You wonder how bad the accident really was for the car to need towing, while worrying how much insurance will cover.

Now, you and your loved one’s entire schedules will have to be adjusted until they get their car back. There’s so much to do and so many emotions, it’s hard to process it all, even when you weren’t the one in the accident. Here are a few things to keep in mind when a loved one gets into a car accident.

Stay Calm

After a car accident, emotions tend to run wild. The person in the accident is probably upset, frustrated, and a bit out of sorts. You are the one they called for help, so it’s your job to stay emotionally stable and make sure they don’t forget anything important. It’s easy to let your emotions get the best of you, especially when a loved one has been in a traumatic event, but it’s at these times when you need to be strongest. Take on the role of Emotional Support Person and do your best to be there for your loved one.

Use Your Phone

This may seem counterintuitive as it’s been proven that driving while on your phone can be as dangerous as driving drunk, but it’s how you choose to use your phone that’s important. After an accident, many people go into a state of shock. As the assistant, it’s your job to make sure the one in the accident does everything they’re meant to do and checks off all the boxes. In the heat of the moment, it can be
flustering and frustrating trying to remember everything you’re meant to do after an accident, so send your loved one a simple, ordered list via email or text for them to follow regarding what they have to do with things like putting their hazard lights on, calling a local tow truck company and the police, taking down the other party’s information, gathering their belongings, and taking photos. This will ensure that they won’t forget anything.

Lighten The Mood

After a car accident, there’s so much to do and so much going on. An easy way to keep your loved one safe and in a good headspace is to lighten the mood. Tell them a funny story or joke to remind them that life’s not always so serious, and make sure they know that everything will be OK. They probably feel bad for getting into an accident in the first place and may dwell on it for the rest of the day, so spend some time with them if you can. Once you’ve done all of the important things, be sure they know they’re still loved and mistakes happen.

At Duvall’s Towing Service, we do our best to make the towing process as simple and painless as possible. If you’ve been in an accident or collision in the Lake Worth, Florida area, be sure to stay safe and call Duvall’s Towing at 561-432-8488.

Christmas is almost here and that means it’s time to decorate the house with festive lights, garlands, wreaths, and most importantly, the tree. Whether it’s your first or hundredth time picking out a Christmas tree and transporting it to your home, Duvall’s Towing Service has the best tips and tricks to help get your tree there safely.

Be Prepared

It’s an exhilarating moment, going off to get your tree for the holiday season. With all the energy and excitement, it’s easy to run out of the house without a second thought. However, it’s important that you remember to bring a few key items in preparation for picking out your tree. Before leaving the house, bring a pair of gloves to protect your hands for loading and unloading your tree; a blanket or tarp to protect your car; a bungee cord, rope, or strong straps to secure your tree to the roof of your car; and a measuring device to ensure that the tree will fit both inside of your house and on top of your car. If the tree seller offers to deliver or help you secure the tree to your car, say yes! Christmas tree companies deal with hundreds of buyers and their vehicles daily during the season, so they will probably know the best, easiest, and safest way to transport your Christmas tree.

Prepare the Christmas Tree

Most places will net your tree for protection and easy transport, but if they don’t offer netting services, you can easily wrap your tree with the blanket or tarp you so thoughtfully brought along with you. This will help ensure that your car and your beautiful new Christmas tree remain damage-free.

Protect Your Vehicle

Once your tree is wrapped and protected, it’s time to make sure your vehicle stays in its current condition! Fresh trees can be wet, sappy, and full of sharp branches that you wouldn’t want around or on top of your car. Lay your blanket or tarp underneath where the tree will be placed to help protect your car’s finish.

Place and Secure Your Christmas Tree

Once your tree and vehicle are safely prepped, it’s time to finally get that tree up and secured! The stump should always face the front of the car to help avoid wind damage. Place the tree as central to the car as possible to help balance the car and make the drive home easier. Attach the tree to the roof of your car using your bungee cord, rope, or straps. Once you’ve finished tying the tree down, give it a good tug from the front and back to make sure it’s secure.

Take Your Tree Home, Carefully!

You want to get your tree, your car, and yourself home safely, so drive slow. Avoid highways whenever possible. A giant Christmas tree adds a lot of extra weight to your car, which will change how the car handles due to altering its center of gravity.

Accidents are an unfortunate part of the holiday season, but they don’t have to add to the stress that this time of year tends to bring. For all your towing needs, be sure to call Duvall’s Towing Service at (561) 432-8488. From all of us here at Duvall’s Towing Service, we want to wish you and your families a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!

The holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, is renowned for being one of the most wonderful times of the year. However, it can also be one of the more stressful times, especially when driving. Things like shopping trips, family gatherings, and holiday vacations result in people traveling more frequently and further than normal, increasing the number of car maintenance issues and accidents. This makes the holiday season an especially busy time for towing services. In case you experience any issues behind the wheel this year, like for one of the few examples listed below, towing companies are here to help get your holidays back on track as quickly and safely as possible.

Fender-Benders

As the number of vehicles on the road increases, so does the potential for an accident. , This is why extremely heavy traffic, exacerbated by holiday travel, can be so dangerous. In situations involving stop and go traffic, a split second could mean the difference between braking in time to avoid tapping the car in front of you and waiting on the side of the road for a tow truck because of an accident. If you are ever caught in the latter situation, rest assured that experienced towing professionals will help you get your disabled car to the nearest shop for repairs.

Flat Tires and Blowouts

Experiencing a flat tire or a tire blowout is a distressing situation that can happen at any time of the year, but they seem to happen more often during the holiday season for one simple reason: people’s focus is not on car maintenance. The hustle and bustle of the winter months is distracting, and with to-do lists spanning from grocery shopping in preparation for the holiday family meal to getting more tape for the dwindling gift-wrap inventory, the last thing on anyone’s mind is to check their tire pressure before going out to run errands. This could turn into a bigger problem if you find yourself without a spare tire in the event of a flat or blowout. However, most tow truck drivers can provide tire changing services in lieu of hauling the car to a shop, so you can have your tire replaced and be back on the road in no time.

Running Out of Gas on the Road

Every driver has been guilty of forgetting to fuel up before long car rides at some point or another. It is especially easy to do during the holidays when your attention is torn between many different seasonal responsibilities, but when it happens, it’s inconvenient and frustrating. The good news is, you always have the option to call a towing service for help instead of walking along a busy road for several miles in search of a gas station. Instead of towing the vehicle away, the tow truck driver can either bring fuel to you or transport you and your vehicle to the nearest gas station.

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but it is also the busiest and most stressful for drivers, especially in South Florida! However, with the help of a reliable, professional towing service, you can rest assured that fender-benders, flat tires, and running on fumes will do nothing to stop your holiday season from being merry and bright. If you ever experience car troubles, we’re here to help. Duvall’s Towing Service is open 24/7, even on holidays! Just give us a call at (562) 432-8488 if you find yourself in a jam in the Lake Worth, Florida area.

Specialty towing covers a wide range of vehicles, including motorcycles, ambulances, and antique cars. But did you know that planes could also be towed?

Many people don’t realize that certain kinds of tow trucks are designed to handle particularly heavy duty tow jobs, like planes! In fact, planes are towed all the time. When a plane needs to be transported without being flown, or when a plane is forced into an unexpected emergency landing, tow trucks come equipped with all of the gear necessary to ensure the plane’s safe delivery to its ultimate destination.

The Cessna 127

Recently, Duvall’s Towing Service was privileged with the transporting of a Cessna 127 (a single-engine aircraft with four seats and fixed wings) a total of 20 miles from Delray Beach to Pompano Beach, Florida. Our team accomplished this specialty towing service by securing the plane in dismantled parts to one of our specialty trucks. The wings were locked in place beneath the body of the plane for the journey, as shown in the image above.

It really is amazing what can be accomplished in the towing industry by a reliable towing company. All it takes is the right truck and a towing professional with years of experience. If you have a vehicle in need of specialty towing and the utmost care during transport, call Duvall’s Towing Service today at (561) 432-8488 or contact us through our easy-to-use Contact Form!

When it comes to hauling motor bikes, boats, and even other cars, many people mistakenly believe that do-it-yourself towing delivers the same results as hiring a professional tow truck company. However, this could not be further from the truth. Do-it-yourself towing may seem like an enticing idea—one that requires less frustration, more control, and money saved—but the risks heavily outweigh the rewards. Remember, even one small incident can quickly supersede any benefits of doing it on your own. Below is a list of reasons why DIY towing is a bad idea with many potential consequences.

Limited Access to Proper Equipment

Towing companies have a wide array of connection accessories for their tow trucks, most of which are not easily accessible to the general public and cannot be operated efficiently without years of experience. While tow rope and a small variety of hitches can be acquired for do-it-yourself towing, when used improperly, they can cause extensive damage to the towing vehicle, its load, and other vehicles on the road. If the connection between the two vehicles or the vehicle and the trailer isn’t secure, the best case scenario is that damage is limited to the bumpers; the worst case scenario is that the load disconnects during transport and causes an accident that endangers other drivers.

Higher Risks of Damage and Injury

Some people are hesitant to hire a towing service due to a misguided fear that their vehicle or possessions will get damaged during loading or transit. However, the chances of that happening in the hands of a professional towing company are next to none. The risks are much higher when the person attempting the tow is inexperienced and working with store-bought or makeshift towing equipment. In fact, do-it-yourselfers risk not only damaging their vehicles but also hurting themselves and possibly others by trying to undertake the towing process themselves. Without the proper equipment or the knowledge of how to handle it, amateur “tow operators” could get hurt securing or lifting the vehicle, unloading it at its destination, or anywhere in between—leaving you liable.

Exceeding the Maximum Towing Capacity

Tow trucks are designed specifically for hauling other vehicles. Specialized axles, frames, engines, and other equipment contribute to a tow truck’s maximum gross vehicle weight rating—the guideline for how much weight a truck can handle in a single tow. Most ordinary cars are not equipped with the kind of strength or gear necessary for towing, but even those that are should not necessarily be utilized for any kind of DIY towing job. This is because the towing vehicle could potentially suffer a lot of internal damage if the maximum towing capacity is overlooked. When the load weight exceeds what the towing vehicle can handle, it could cause damage to the exterior as well as to the engine, brakes, and transmission, shortening the towing vehicle’s lifespan and putting the driver at risk on the road.

Unchanging Driving Methods

One of the most important things to remember about the towing process is that driving a loaded towing vehicle is very different from driving an unloaded one. When dealing with additional weight while operating a truck, tow truck drivers have to alter their driving habits accordingly so as not to put themselves or other drivers on the road at risk. This includes making wider turns so as to prevent hitting the curb and being more careful driving uphill or downhill. Most DIY tow drivers will forget to make these changes as they drive with their loads, making for an unsafe transfer.

There are plenty of situations where the do-it-yourself method delivers the same results as the alternative, but towing vehicles is not one of them. It is a complicated and dangerous job; one that should always be handled by a professional and should never be attempted by those who are unprepared and unpracticed. At Duvall’s Towing Service, it’s our job to deliver fast and efficient service and to ensure the safety of the car, the owner, and anyone else involved in the towing process. If you have any questions, need to schedule a pickup for your vehicle, or have broken down in Lake Worth, FL, call us at (561) 432-8488 and we’ll send someone to assist you right away.

From breakdowns to fender benders, all manner of car troubles prompt the need for a professional towing service. Many customers believe that once a tow truck comes to the rescue, everything else that comes after is easy. However, the easiest part is actually making the call to your local towing company. Risks associated with unpredictability actually increase after a tow truck arrives. Professional tow truck drivers put themselves in danger every day, and the following situations are thought to be the riskiest reasons why.

Interruptions and Distractions

When a car becomes disabled, whether due to an accident or a breakdown, it is almost always stressful. Understandably, drivers in this situation can become overwhelmed with concerns about their vehicle, the costs required to fix it, insurance claims, and anyone else involved. When a tow truck shows up, more often than not the main concern becomes protecting the car from any further damage. The driver in distress may think they are just being cautious—perhaps even helpful—but when these and other worries distract the tow truck operator, it actually hinders the towing process and makes the overall situation more difficult. Towing is a complex practice that requires a lot of concentration, so it’s imperative that the tow truck operator is allowed to work uninterrupted. This will ensure maximum efficiency, minimum risk, and the safety of themselves, the customer, the car being towed, and even the tow truck.

Navigation and Transport

Tow trucks are designed to be able to secure and transport vehicles. It takes a specialized skill set and a lot of experience to operate a tow truck, and just as much to drive one. Since different vehicles affect the weight of a tow truck in different ways, customized equilibrium and careful driving is necessary for any loaded tow truck, regardless of its type. In addition, since tow trucks are less maneuverable than most other vehicles, tow truck drivers handling heavy loads need to drive slower in order to make safer turns and prevent destabilization. Unfortunately, this necessary precaution—and the fact that there is a substantial difference between driving a loaded tow truck versus an unloaded one—is a major consideration that other drivers on the road might not be aware of. By allowing a tow truck the right of way and avoiding its blind spots, other drivers can help tow truck drivers reach their destination safely.

Unsafe Surroundings

Not every tow takes place in an enclosed parking lot. Roadside towing, especially in unfamiliar areas or in areas known for being unsafe, is exceptionally dangerous for tow truck drivers as any number of unforeseen factors can complicate the towing process. For instance, if a disabled car is stranded in the middle of nowhere or in a dimly lit area, the presence of unforeseen dangers like unevenly paved roads, ditches, and even animals can pose a threat to the tow truck operator. Gaining an awareness of the surrounding area during the towing process is important. The best way to go about the towing process in an unfamiliar or unsafe area is to utilize your roadside emergency kit and remain calm, cautious, and alert.

Oncoming Traffic

Towing is one of the most dangerous professions in America today, and operating near oncoming traffic is perhaps the most life-threatening part of the business. It becomes difficult for tow truck drivers to do their job well if they have to divide their attention between their work and the cars zooming by. The safety of any tow truck driver lies with the precautions they take and the attention of the other drivers. However, the worst possible outcome is always the same: that a passing car hits the tow truck driver at work. Unfortunately, this happens far too often. In fact, recent studies have shown that the occupational injuries and deaths among tow truck drivers (and other emergency first responders) account for up to 80 incidents every year. It really only takes a split second of inattentiveness behind the wheel to jeopardize someone’s safety. This is why the enforcement of safety precautions like Florida’s Move Over Law is so important. By slowing down and changing lanes to provide space, drivers passing a stopped tow truck are protecting its driver.

It has always been a significant part of any tow truck drivers’ job to expect and prepare for the unpredictable, but if their working conditions do not improve and become safer, they will continue to be put at significant risk when helping incapacitated vehicles. By taking these and other factors into consideration, drivers being assisted and other drivers on the road can assist tow truck operators in safely doing their job. At Duvall’s Towing, we want both our operators and our customers to stay safe, and so we divulge this information in the hopes that it will raise awareness and positively impact the national statistics. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident or breakdown, please call us at 561-432-8488 and we will send someone to assist you right away, whatever the risks.

The towing industry, while a necessary public service, is not one that’s usually celebrated or discussed in-depth due to the unfortunate events (accidents, collisions, and breakdowns) that warrant the need for towing services in the first place. However, the towing industry has a rich, interesting story and is filled with fun facts that any trucker, history enthusiast, or aspiring inventor would appreciate. Here are some examples:

There is a Tow Truck Museum

The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, more easily called the International Towing Museum, is a non-profit organization located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Established in 1995, this museum explores the origin and growth of the towing industry through its exhibition of pictographic historical information and all manner of towing equipment—from small tools to restored antique towing vehicles.

The location of the museum is significant for two reasons: the first is because Chattanooga is actually the hometown of its inventor, Sr. Ernest Holmes. The second is because the museum was built just 3.5 miles away from what was once the Ernest Holmes Company, the first-ever tow truck manufacturing facility and the birthplace of the first tow truck.

The First Tow Truck was Built in 1916

The first tow truck in history was a prototype built in 1916 by Sr. Ernest Holmes, a mechanic who sought to revolutionize the very concept of towing by replacing manpower with machine power. This aspiration was sparked after he and half a dozen other men were called to help pull a wrecked car from a creek—a feat that took eight hours to accomplish using blocks, ropes, and waning human strength. After that incident, Holmes worked to develop an alternative solution for towing vehicles so that attending to any similar accidents in the future would be easier and less time-consuming.

Holmes began by constructing a crane system and bolting it to the back of his 1913 Cadillac. Unfortunately, this prototype failed when Holmes tested it at another accident site, leaving him and several others to resort to the usual, heavy lifting rescue method. However, upon making further improvements to his design, he discovered that the weight of the recovery vehicle and its bolted towing equipment needed to be distributed more evenly in order to operate properly. By adding outriggers at the front of the Cadillac, the whole recovery vehicle stabilized, and Holmes had finally produced the first functional tow truck.

There Are Five Types of Tow Trucks

The towing industry is a century old. As the car and towing industries both evolved, so did the tow truck models and the specialized parts they utilized. Despite being collectively called “tow trucks,” there are actually five very different types of tow trucks used today. These consist of the hook and chain, boom, wheel-lift, flatbed, and integrated tow truck. The hook and chain towing method was Holmes’ initial invention, before the eventual development of the other four.

The World’s Smallest Tow Trucks Aren’t Actually Trucks

There may be five types of tow trucks, but there’s one recovery vehicle growing in popularity that isn’t a truck at all: the Retriever. Developed in Sweden by a company called Coming Through, this innovative 165 kg specialized towing motorcycle—based on the Honda GL 1800 Gold Wing—is capable of hauling 2,500 kg at roughly 20mph. The collapsible gear at the back of the motorcycle unfolds to load the vehicle in distress and folds away when it is not in use.

Retrievers are used in, and distributed to, a wide variety of places, but they seem to be especially popular in places like Japan and China where large populations and compacted cities make for tight traffic. Unlike trucks, motorcycle recovery vehicles like the Retriever can be driven off-road if necessary, and can more easily maneuver through heavy traffic and traffic accidents to get to the recovery site.

The World’s Largest Tow Truck is Canadian

The largest production recovery vehicle in the world, a million-dollar 60/80 SR Heavy Incident Manager, was manufactured by NRC Industries in Quebec and is now owned by Mario’s Towing Ltd. in Kelowna, Canada. This phenomenal machine is essentially a giant boom tow truck that features a durable boom and winch system at the rear. Its greatest advantage, setting it apart from all others, is its far-reaching apparatus, or crane, which allows for towing from a distance. The crane can reach across several lanes to raise disabled vehicles up and out of traffic while the truck itself is parked off-road, instead of taking up an active lane to tow the vehicle in distress.

These are just a few of the many noteworthy facts surrounding the history and practices of the constantly evolving towing industry. If you or someone you know needs a tow truck, or if you have any questions about our services, please call the experts at Duvall’s Towing Service today at 561-432-8488.

Many people think that towing services are only necessary in a limited number of situations, like removing an illegally parked car or picking up a car that’s broken-down. However, one of the simplest reasons for needing a tow truck is actually one of the most common: vehicle transport. Taking advantage of professional vehicle transport for special events like car shows and auctions is not only more convenient, but also cost effective and safe. DIY towing or driving the distance adds mileage and wear-and-tear to the car, but with professional vehicle transport, these repercussions are virtually eliminated. Still, the tow truck can’t do all the work! Below are some of the steps that every car owner should take before enlisting the help of a towing service for specialized vehicle transport.

The Car Should Be Clean and Functioning Properly

Before a tow truck loads up a car for transport, it’s important for the owner to make sure that the car’s fluids have been replenished, that the battery and engine are in good working condition, and that the car itself is clean. This is especially important for cars being transported to car shows and auctions. Neglecting to repair or replace any vital parts may cause complications that could have been otherwise avoided, like the inability to drive the vehicle once it’s delivered. Alternatively, if the car being transported does not run at all, this should be shared with the towing company in advance so that proper accommodations can be made before the car is loaded for transport.

The Fuel Tank Should Not Be Completely Full

While it is important for the car to be in tip top shape before transport, it is also important that the fuel tank not be filled completely before the tow truck arrives to pick it up. It may sound inconvenient, but having less than a full tank will actually help the transportation process tremendously. This is because a full fuel tank creates a heavier load for the tow truck that could cause any number of complications during loading or in transit. This is especially true when the truck is transporting more than one car. To ensure a smoother journey, car owners transporting their cars via tow truck should keep their fuel tanks at or under a quarter full.

Pre-Existing Damage Should Be Noted

If there is any pre-existing damage like scratches or dents, taking photographs or making note of it ahead of time will be useful in determining if any new damage was inflicted as a result of the transportation process. There is very little chance of this, however, since the rate at which vehicles are damaged during towing operations is statistically uncommon—especially at Duvall’s Towing Service! Still, it’s important for a car owner to inspect his or her vehicle before the time comes to transport it via tow truck.

Personal Belongings Should Not Be Left in the Vehicle

Before handing the car keys to the tow truck driver for loading, every car owner should make sure that the car is emptied of any personal belongings. There are several reasons why this is necessary. First and foremost, specialized auto transportation and towing companies are not legally responsible for any items unrelated to the cars they handle. So, items like boxes, bags, suitcases, and any other properties irrelevant to the car’s functioning should be removed prior to pick up. This will protect the items from potential damage or theft on the journey to the drop-off location. Secondly—and as stated in the section above—the weight of the car should fall within the range appropriate for its make and model in order to be towed as smoothly and as safely as possible.

Plans for Transport Should Not Be Made Last Minute

A lot of planning and coordination goes into vehicle transportation. Delivering something like a car to a specific destination is nothing like delivering a package; so, recruiting a specialized towing service for help should be something planned well in advance—weeks ahead of the desired transport date. This way, the time it takes for loading, transportation, and delivery can be mapped out with potential delays in mind.

Duvall’s Towing takes pride in all of the services we provide, including specialized vehicle transport. By following these steps and planning ahead, any car owner looking to utilize our professional transportation services for events like car shows and auctions can rest assured that their vehicle(s) will be handled with only the best care and utmost respect. Please call us at 561-432-8488 for more information or to schedule your vehicle transport.